Bruins Need to Be on Their Guard

Although coaches have been pleased with the progress of the offensive line in general, an important development after early-season suspensions and injuries, UCLA’s four guards have come under scrutiny for poor play, making Saturday night against Oregon a critical time for them.

“Our guard play has got to get better,” Coach Bob Toledo said. “[Mike] Saffer has an excuse. No. 1, he’s a freshman. No. 2, he’s been hurt. But the other guys have got to get better.”

They already have. The sprained ankle that sidelined Saffer, the starter on the right side, for two games before he returned last week against Arizona State, is getting better. And the play of Oscar Cabrera, the other starter, has also improved in recent practices.

They weren’t the only problems, though. Backups James Ghezzi and Matt Phelan also got beat against the Sun Devils.

“I really can’t pinpoint anything,” said Cabrera, who, like Ghezzi, was suspended the first two games. “A lot of things can get better. Our quarterback got hit way too many times this past week.

“It takes some time to jell, but I hate saying that because it’s an excuse a lot of people seem to use. That jelling time should be over. We have to do better. It has to happen this week. I’m taking it a little personally, everything that’s being said about the guards.”